Core Insights - Morgan Stanley reports that China Overseas Development (00688) saw a 17% year-on-year decline in core net profit to 8.8 billion RMB, which is 4% higher than the bank's estimate, primarily due to a 4% decrease in revenue and a 25% drop in EBIT [1] Financial Performance - The company's dividend per share decreased by 17% to 0.25 HKD, while the payout ratio remained unchanged [1] - Gross margin stood at 17.4%, down 4.7 percentage points year-on-year, but improved by 3.6 percentage points compared to the previous half [1] - Core net profit margin fell by 2.8 percentage points to 10.2%, although it improved by 4.1 percentage points on a half-year basis [1] Balance Sheet and Debt - The balance sheet remains healthy, with the net debt ratio slightly decreasing from 29% to 28% [1] - The cash coverage ratio for short-term debt is 4.9 times, projected to be 4.3 times by the end of 2024, indicating strong performance, one of the best in the industry [1] Property Valuation - China Overseas' investment property valuation appears high, with a book value of 210 billion RMB against an annual investment property income of 7 billion RMB, resulting in an implied capitalization rate of 3.3%, which is still considered low [1] - Market consensus predicts a low single-digit percentage decline in net profit for the fiscal year 2025, with potential further downward adjustments to earnings forecasts [1]

Core Viewpoint - The performance of Hang Lung Group and Hang Lung Properties in the first half of 2025 is characterized by a decline in total revenue, primarily due to reduced property sales income, with a cautious approach to pricing strategies for residential and commercial properties [2][4]. Financial Performance - Hang Lung Group's total revenue decreased by 18% to HKD 5.202 billion, while Hang Lung Properties' total revenue fell by 19% to HKD 4.968 billion [2]. - The rental business revenue for Hang Lung Properties saw a slight decline of 3%, with rental income accounting for 94% of total revenue [4]. - The company reported a net debt ratio of 33.5%, which increased by 0.1% compared to the end of the previous year [6]. Rental Business Insights - The rental income in mainland China decreased by 1%, while in Hong Kong, it dropped by 4% [4]. - The rental income from retail properties remained stable, while office rental income in mainland China fell by 5% [5]. - The overall rental income in Hong Kong decreased by 4%, with retail rental income down by 7% and office rental income down by 1%, although residential rental income increased by 11% [5]. Strategic Initiatives - The company plans to commence 11 real estate projects across 9 cities in mainland China, with 7 reserve projects in Hong Kong [8]. - The expansion of Hang Lung Plaza Westlake 66 in Hangzhou has been completed and is expected to enhance foot traffic significantly [8]. Debt Management - The average borrowing rate for Hang Lung Properties was approximately 3.9%, down from 4.3% the previous year [6]. - The company secured a HKD 10 billion syndicated loan to extend the average maturity of its loans, with over 70% of its debt having a repayment period of two years or more [7].